diff --git a/daliuge-translator/dlg/dropmake/dm_utils.py b/daliuge-translator/dlg/dropmake/dm_utils.py
index d3d4ba641..75239aea0 100644
--- a/daliuge-translator/dlg/dropmake/dm_utils.py
+++ b/daliuge-translator/dlg/dropmake/dm_utils.py
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ def convert_construct(lgo):
         # try to find a application using several app_keywords
         # disregard app_keywords that are not present, or have value "None"
         for ak in app_keywords:
-            if ak in node and node[ak] != "None":
+            if ak in node and node[ak] != "None" and node[ak] != "UnknownApplication":
                 has_app = ak
                 break
         if has_app is None: